Long Term Care - The Who, The What and The How
The world is changing rapidly and long term care has become an ever increasing need. The costs of care are very high, especially if you consider that not everyone has a lot of money to spare. There is no easy way around this problem but there are plenty of options for your family. If you have a loved one that needs looking after, the best choice will depend on what they need and what you can afford. Here are some tips to help you get the right information, keep your loved ones safe, and take care of others in turn.
Long term care takes a very large financial investment to make but it's important to keep in mind that this investment could last for many years. Long term care is expensive, and there are numerous ways to cut costs, including:
Staffing: If your loved one needs someone around the clock, you may want to hire a nurse or an aide. These caregivers will be more experienced than other individuals that you could hire for nursing homes or assisted living facilities and they may be more convenient than hiring live in staff. There are many caregivers out there who have experience working in long term care facilities and they can help your loved ones remain safe, happy and healthy. You may also consider hiring a home health aide to help your loved ones.
Caregiver Support: Family members can also be a source of help for elderly patients because they can provide emotional support, and even if regular caregivers are not needed in the immediate future, your family member can act as a backup if anything changes. They will also learn about the needs of their loved one and how to care for them at home.
Elder Care: If you have an older relative that isn't quite capable of caring for himself or herself, you might want to consider hiring an in-home caregiver. An in-home caregiver could be someone who takes care of all aspects of daily life. This person could help with meal preparation, bathing a loved one, or even simply staying with them when the time comes for rest.
Paying for care: This is a major concern so you need to have all of your options in place before choosing something. Your budget will largely determine how much will have to be spent on long term care. If you're on a limited budget, private homes and community centers might be good options because they don't come with an extremely high price tag. On the other hand, a nursing home might be better suited for your situation if you have more money to spend because these facilities are built in such a way that they can offer more types of care and provide more complex services.
Make sure you ask your loved one and spouse what they would like if they needed help. If you do this, you will get a better idea of what your loved one is capable of and what their needs are. This can be very helpful because it will help to point out which options might be best for the situation, particularly with older patients who may have different needs than younger ones.
If you have a family member or loved one that requires long term care, take these tips into consideration whenever possible. Without proper care, even those who need it the most can end up getting sick, injured or even lose their life. This could lead to great distress and continuing financial problems for families that have to deal with the aftermath of such a disaster.
You can find more information about long term care in the following sources:
http://www.eldercare.gov/eldercare/what-is-long-term-care http://www.webmd.com/parenting/ay20110104/losing-parents http://www.aarp.org/family/life-changes-ages-and-caregiving.html#more http://dancingdoggiesllc.com/?id=361 http://www.aarp.org/family/living_with_your_parents_or_other_family_member _199800221#Resources http://newsroomonline.com/entry/dementia_and_long_term_care http://www.accordingtoanne.com/2010/06/long-term-care.html
Posted by Betty Theodorou at 4:59 PM
Betty Theodorou says...
Posted by Betty Theodorou at 5:10 PM
Suzanne Ramsden says...
This is a very interesting article - I have often wondered what it would be like to live in a home for the elderly with my father who is now 82 but I do live in a retirement home now and really like it there so maybe something to look into. I'm not sure what a geriatric nurse is - maybe someone who works at a home? Maybe not for you. My mother-in-law lives in a care home in Brighton and she has a good but not great team of nurses so it's all very personalised. She still cooks some of her own meals etc. I feel for you - dealing with dementia is hard but it's still your loved ones (with some help) making the choice to stay in the type of living they want to be in!! Best wishes Suzanne 15 June 2014 at 11:25 PM
Suzanne Ramsden says...
This is a very interesting article - I have often wondered what it would be like to live in a home for the elderly with my father who is now 82 but I do live in a retirement home now and really like it there so maybe something to look into. I'm not sure what a geriatric nurse is - maybe someone who works at a home? Maybe not for you. My mother-in-law lives in a care home in Brighton and she has a good but not great team of nurses so it's all very personalised. She still cooks some of her own meals etc. I feel for you - dealing with dementia is hard but it's still your loved ones (with some help) making the choice to stay in the type of living they want to be in!! Best wishes Suzanne 15 June 2014 at 11:25 PM
Betty Theodorou says...
Thank you for updating us on your Dad. I know how hard it is when we lose a loved one, and can see how you have found his transition from his village to a care home very difficult. I am so sorry for the difficult time you have had with your father and the loss that you and your family have had to endure. This is why we try our best to help and provide support, advice, information and facts about ageing, dementia, medication and many other topics in the hope of helping others. Apologies I haven't been here very much lately... I'm still working hard but have lots of new commitments which has taken over my already busy life! Thank you once again for updating me! Take Care Betty 13 November 2014 at 7:43 PM
Betty Theodorou says...
It was James, my husband that passed away on Christmas Day.
Conclusion:
When choosing where your loved one will live, and when deciding what type of care they will need, your main goal should be to find a place that offers the best quality of life for your family member. While you want to make sure that their needs are met, it's also important to consider what makes them feel comfortable and happy. Many conditions can sap energy and make it difficult for your elderly relative to get through the day, but as long as you're with them and do what you can to support them throughout the process, it shouldn't be impossible for you to make sure that they're receiving the care they need.
For more information please visit best nursing homes in NJ 07045 .